Consulting firm Deloitte has reported a 34 percent surge in graduate job applications at its Scotland offices, led by a 59 percent hike at its Edinburgh office.

Deloitte will accept the same number of graduates - about a thousand - in the UK as it did in previous years. The consultancy says that the number of job applications in Scotland has been on a steady rise for the past several years, but that now even more graduates applied early for 2009 because they are concerned about paying off their student debts and finding available positions.

Graduate job applications rose 40 percent across the UK. Deloitte's talent partner Jim Boyle says: "I've found that some graduates who might ordinarily take a post-university gap year have been applying to Deloitte during their final year rather than wait until they return. The number of applications to the three Scottish offices for 2009 is very healthy and testament to the quality and range of jobs available at Deloitte."

"The current economic climate has not affected our graduate recruitment plans," says Sarah Shillingford, graduate recruitment partner at Deloitte. "At this stage, we are anticipating around 1,000 graduate vacancies, broadly the same number of graduates as previous years. A number of graduate recruiters have cut back on recruitment figures and, as a result, more students are competing for pur positions than ever before." 

"Students graduating in 2009 face a tougher job market than those who graduated in previous years," Shillingham added. "The value attributed to job security by students is higher than I have seen before, both in terms of the employers they are attracted to and the timing of their applications." 

MicroStrategy® Incorporated, a leading worldwide provider of business intelligence (BI) software, today announced that UTelco Systems Pty Ltd has signed a Consulting Partner agreement with MicroStrategy® Australia.

The partnership has evolved from significant and successful projects undertaken within Australia’s leading Telecommunications giant, Telstra, over the past 7 years. Both parties have been able to successfully blend their respective strengths to provide enormous customer value to the Telco giant’s wholesale division.

Under this agreement, UTelco Systems P/L and MicroStrategy will jointly develop business in the enterprise markets in particular, the utilities, telecommunications, and financial services industries, as well as participate in co-operative marketing programs that include seminars, symposiums and expos.

“We have seen enormous value in our relationship with MicroStrategy to date and are extremely pleased to formally announce our consulting partnership which we believe will add significant value to our respective customers and to the Enterprise Business Intelligence market overall. Our experience working with MicroStrategy solutions at Telstra Wholesale has proven that the combination of UTelco’s unique approach to delivering total Enterprise Business Intelligence and MicroStrategy’s proven enterprise software capabilities is a winning formula”, said Dr. John Brudenell, CEO and joint founder, UTelco Systems.

Patrick Elliott, MicroStrategy VP of Australia and New Zealand said, “We are very excited to be able to call UTelco a consulting partner as we continue to build our business partner ecosystem. Our working relationship is solid and our story is very compelling.”

Information about MicroStrategy is available at www.microstrategy.com.

Top-Consultant's Definitive Guide to UK Consulting Firms is now available in hardback print edition and can be ordered at Top-Consultant.com. 

The Definitive Guide to UK Consulting Firms is the ultimate resource to all those pursuing a career in consulting, with 300+ pages covering all sorts of useful industry information, ranging from contributions from leading consulting industry recruiters to tips on securing a consulting job, with more than 160 consulting firm listings and an assessment of likely hiring patterns in consultancy over the next two years.

The guide is already available as a PDF download and as an eBook on Top-Consultant.com.  

The UK government will cut back on spending on information technology and computer consultants in an attept to raise £5 billion efficiency savings. Chancellor Alistair Darling voiced confidence that reducing the cost of information technology and IT staff would not seriously affect public services. Over the next three years, he hopes, the state can save £35 billion. Spending cuts will remain a priority to the government until 2012 and beyond.

Whitehall has already made room for £26.5 billion of efficiency savings since 2004, which is five billion over target. In the three years leading up to 2007, the government has also eliminated 86,700 civil service posts.

Peter Clarke, analyst at Ovum, says that, for the state’s IT providers, smaller budgets will demand a confident, considered response to meet the sector’s concerns. “Those software and IT services suppliers that seize the opportunity can act as the catalyst in driving out efficiencies and improving the quality of public services,” he said.

“Now is the time for suppliers to intensify the conversations about efficiency and improvement in public services which they have been having with the public sector over the past three or four years,” Clarke continued.

“The government has become increasingly impatient that the public sector has not moved fast enough to achieve back-office efficiencies or achieved the efficiencies in more radical ways. What we heard… was a chancellor determined to achieve that goal sooner rather than later,” Clarke concluded.

Apply for IT consultant jobs on our job board. 

PA Consulting Group, an international leader in technology consulting, is supporting innovation in medical device technology by sponsoring the 2008 Cardiovascular Innovation Awards, one of six categories in the Medical Futures Innovation Awards (MFIA).  

The MFIA event allows scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs to put their ideas in the spotlight and possibly even get funding or the right industry connections. The event  is run in association with the Medical Research Council, the Department of Health and the British Cardiovascular Society. The MFIA panel consists of 60 experts who elect the winner. The winner of an Innovation Award gets funding, commercial guidance and professional introductions necessary to promote his product, idea or business.

“The entries are highly varied, and this forum presents an unrivalled chance for clinicians, venture capitalists and the NHS to spot and nurture the kind of innovative technology and services which could make a big difference to future healthcare,” says Stewart Fox, Consultant in Healthcare Product Development at PA Consulting’s Cambridge UK Technology Centre.

The winners of this year’s Medical Futures Innovation Awards will be revealed at the Medical Futures Award Ceremony in London on December 2, 2008.  

Browse and apply for the latest PA Consulting jobs on our IT consulting job board.  

 

IBM and Dassault Systèmes (DS) today announced EADS’ commitment to IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ product lifecycle management (PLM), for 3D collaborative design and manufacturing applications and services. EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, is streamlining product design and manufacturing processes through the use of collaboration tools to make key product information more easily accessible to suppliers and partners worldwide.

Aerospace and defense companies face new global manufacturing challenges as they extend their network of partners and suppliers around the globe. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like EADS are developing more sophisticated products that rely on deeper integration between the mechanical, electrical and software components of product development. For example, components of an aircraft are made in different locations, making an OEM’s ability to share reliable data and design plans with global suppliers key.

To address these challenges, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., or EADS, launched a worldwide program named PHENIX, which stands for PLM Harmonization ENhanced Integration and eXcellence. Partnering with IBM and Dassault Systèmes, EADS’ goal is to integrate Dassault Systèmes’ tools such as product design (CATIA), digital manufacturing (DELMIA) and collaborative solutions (ENOVIA-VPM) into EADS’ PLM processes as key enablers for excellence and harmonization.

The IBM Dassault Systèmes applications are currently deployed across EADS, a company known for its Airbus commercial aircraft, special mission and military aircraft, satellite launchers and space services and platforms for missile systems. These applications contribute strongly to support engineering and manufacturing industrial processes from end-to-end.

With its PLM platform, EADS is addressing key industry challenges by:

• Deploying a ‘3D Master Reference,’ digital mock-up approach to help streamline industrial product development programs by increasing collaboration across multiple divisions and tapping into the collective knowledge of international teams.

• Turning complex 3D design and manufacturing processes into tested and repeatable models to achieve optimal results in manufacturing through the integration of 3D and simulation technologies.

• Predicting product behaviors using virtual group validation and resolution techniques that support speedy decision-making and help shrink product design cycle times.

• Creating an easy flow of key design and data information to promote the correct interpretation of product definitions, reducing costly design mistakes in the early stages of product development.

“We’re leveraging a long standing relationship with IBM and Dassault Systèmes, to create harmony in PLM practices across 3D design and manufacturing teams at EADS,” said Jean Botti, EADS Chief Technical Officer. “An increased focus on sharing a 3D master definition and collaborating across our divisions will reinforce our globally integrated approach to product development. IBM and Dassault Systèmes bring indisputable value to the transformation process underway with our PHENIX program. This is in synergy with the recent EADS choice of another key PLM building block of the global PHENIX solution.”

“We share IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ PLM vision of using 3D technologies to effectively communicate and collaborate on new product development,” said Jean-Yves Mondon, EADS vice-president and head of the PHENIX program.

“This collaboration reflects the strength of our long-term partnership with EADS,” said Etienne Droit, executive vice president, Dassault Systèmes. “New PLM technologies from Dassault Systèmes, such as PLM 2.0 and DS V6 solutions, will offer EADS the capacity to extend the strategic value it has placed on collaborative innovation. With new online product creation and life-like simulation tools, companies will simplify PLM platforms and reduce technology costs.” “IBM has the expertise and resources to help companies become more globally integrated,” said Albert Bunshaft, vice president, IBM Product Lifecycle Management Solutions. “As EADS gives partners and suppliers more responsibility for deploying products in new markets and consumer tastes become very local to a region of the world, the use of defined PLM business practices will become paramount for managing on-going market change.”

IBM and Dassault Systèmes have experience in translating complex 3D design and manufacturing processes into tested and repeatable models for successful product development and manufacturing. Whether it is building the largest passenger aircraft in the world or delivering technology used in the International Space Program, IBM and Dassault Systèmes are teaming up to contribute to the transformation of PLM processes into initiatives for product excellence around the globe.

For more information about IBM please visit www.ibm.com and www.ibm.com/solutions/plm. For Dassault Systèmes please visit http://www.3ds.com.

Shareholders of the British SAP consulting firm Axon approved the acquisition of their firm by the Indian IT services giant HCL Technologies at an ‘extraordinary general meeting’ (EGM) in London on Monday.

HCL Technologies chief executive Vineet Nayar said: “Axon investors by majority (99.9 percent) accepted our cash offer of 650 pence ($9.78) per share. The deal will be finalised after the court approval December 15.”

On December 15, Axon will also hold its general meeting to endorse the court approval and finalise the acquisition.

Failing companies, the financial and housing crisis, rising unemployment rates and inflation have everyone wondering what’s next. “What’s in store for me, my company, my employer, my career?” Some thought the worst was over when the housing crisis led to the federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But then, global titans like Lehman Brothers began to fall. It was soon clear that many more stumbling blocks lie ahead. Who will be next? What other industries will be affected? When do we hit bottom?

While no industry will go unscathed in this historic downturn, there are pockets that appear to be more resilient than others, the IT sector is one. Due to a lean IT workforce and a technology skill shortage, many IT professionals have not yet been exposed to the job market hardships of this downturn. Demand is still high for your knowledge and skills but it’s important to not get complacent, over confident or too comfortable. Now is the time to take active steps to strengthen your value as an employee and promote your skills and assets. Previous downturns offer many lessons into what may lie ahead for the technology sector and its talent base. Take note of recent history lessons and discover what you can do now to remain employable and in-demand despite economic challenges.

Looking Back to Dot-com Troubles

The years leading up to Y2K and the dot-com bust were filled with aggressive IT hiring. Eager to take advantage of the gold-rush mentality of the early Internet days, many companies dismissed standard business models in lieu of a ‘get big fast’ plan. While the momentum was extraordinary, many companies became over-valued and suffered in what is now known as the dot-com bust.

After that bubble burst, organizations realized that IT spending needed to be reigned in and technology initiatives must be aligned to business strategy. Sprawling IT teams and budgets were cut back. ROI and business alignment took a central role in measuring success. The result for a great many businesses was a leaner, more efficient and business savvy IT operation.

IT Employment Now

Despite the many shocks of the market these days, IT employment has held strong. For example, September 2008 proved a dismal month for overall employment but not for the IT sector. September IT employment was up 4.7 percent over the previous year according to the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB). At the same time, unemployment rates for nearly all major sub-categories of IT labor force, as tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are running at the low end of their past eight-year range.

However, there are also reports of less positive news on the IT front. Recent InformationWeek research shows that 72 percent of businesses plan to cut back on IT hiring. Additionally, 39 percent of companies say their technology budgets have dropped compared to last year, with another 28 percent saying it has stayed the same. So where does this leave you and your career plans when the IT sector anticipates little growth ahead? Let’s take a look.

Where IT Is Heading

The lessons learned from the late nineties will continue to influence the IT sector. As enterprises look for ways to streamline operations and run more efficiently, they will focus on projects that support strategic business initiatives and outsource ‘business-as-usual’ jobs. In addition, companies will increasingly turn to consultants to support critical projects. Instead of building massive in-house functions, many companies are turning to IT professional services firms to provide IT consultants with the skills and flexibility to support evolving needs. According to Staffing Industry Analysts, recent research shows that the industry projecting the greatest contingent workforce growth over the next two years is technology/telecom.

Additionally, IT candidates who possess strong business acumen are the most in demand in today’s economy and will remain so into the future. Organizations need talented professionals who not only have a solid technical understanding, but can also contribute to business initiatives and provide value-added services. Jobs that strictly support ‘business-as-usual’ applications (like regression testing, programmers, developers, etc.) are solely technical assets and the most likely to move offshore.

Career Moves You Can Make Now

The need for technology and innovation is not going anywhere, but IT employees must continue to evolve with the business landscape. To remain in-demand, you will need to make career adjustments that showcase and expand your capabilities. Here are some essential tips to position yourself for success in today’s and tomorrow’s uncertain market:

Build Your Value: As an IT professional, you need to be particularly aware of how the job you are doing ties into the overall company strategy. Not only are you able to offer greater value the more involved you are, but projects that are high-value and high-impact are more likely to survive cuts. Make the effort to market yourself and campaign for those positions to help alleviate the vulnerability of downsizing.

Grow Your Knowledge Base: It is also extremely important to have strong business and industry knowledge. The more you are aware of the IT industry as a whole, as well as the vertical industry you are working within, the more apt you are to offer insight, think outside the box and provide valuable input. Reading industry newsletters and participating in industry-focused associations can help you gain valuable information and also expand your network.

Expand Your Skill-set: Take every opportunity to grow your worth. Make sure you stay current with leading-edge technologies and pursue certifications or further education within a specific functional area.

Identify which vertical industries are doing well versus those that may be struggling in the economy. Retool your skills to match those industries with long-term growth and stability. Ask to get involved in other types of projects that will enhance your skills and be applicable across other industries.

Consider working as a Consultant: As a consultant, IT professionals have the unique opportunity to gain experience in a variety of business settings. They are exposed to various industries and technologies due to the flexibility of their careers and the wide number of industries that leverage IT consulting talent. Consider consulting work if you are looking for ways to continually expand your experience, skills and industry knowledge.

Your Career Is Your Job, Not the Economy’s

The best advice for job market worriers today is to stop wondering what the economy holds and start making the changes you need to remain in-demand and employable. In today’s market, you have to bring value to the table. Look past the technologies you know and the day-to-day tasks you do and focus on what you can achieve: ask questions, get involved, offer solutions, demonstrate your expertise and expand your skills. Certifications, education and knowledge are great, but the ability to translate that knowledge into bottom-line business value is what will bring you long-term career security.

Author: Mike Cleland, MDI Group

Accenture will provide Xcel Energy with application management services under a multi-year application outsourcing agreement. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, Accenture will provide application maintenance and software development for Xcel Energy’s customer care, meter systems and human resources/payroll applications. Xcel Energy will leverage Accenture’s deep experience in the utilities sector and in application outsourcing services to increase its operational performance and enhance its customer service.

“We continually evaluate our sourcing strategies to improve the execution of our technology strategy and increase the service and support levels for our internal and external customers,” said Michael Lamb, Xcel Energy’s managing director of IT strategy and operations. “Our collaboration with Accenture is aligned with our strategy of leveraging the best skills and expertise to ensure we have the most efficient and effective IT organization possible. Over the past couple of years, we have worked with Accenture on several innovative projects and believe they will bring new synergies to our operations.”

Xcel Energy’s application management -- previously outsourced to a third-party service provider -- will be transitioned to Accenture over the next four months.

Michael Donohue, a senior executive in Accenture’s Utilities industry group, said, “As an innovative company, Xcel Energy understands the best practices, tools and technology that are required to achieve its strategic vision. We are pleased to bring our deep experience in the utilities sector and assets in application services to help Xcel Energy improve its operational performance, increase its level of customer service and be a leader in its industry.”

Accenture is also helping Xcel Energy augment its electric grid through the development and implementation of SmartGridCity™ in Boulder, Colo. Boulder will become a proving ground for the smart grid, a power system that combines traditional and new technology to manage the flow of energy more effectively than previously possible. SmartGridCity™ is designed to provide more-reliable energy while enabling residents and businesses to optimize the use of renewable energy sources, increase energy conservation options, manage their energy bills more effectively and minimize their collective environmental footprint.

Capgemini, one of the world’s leaders in consulting, IT services and outsourcing, has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of EMPIRE s.r.o., a privately-held, Czechbased IT services and consulting company, and its subsidiary SOPHIA SOLUTIONS s.r.o., a local expert in Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse (BI/DWH).

Both companies represent on a consolidated basis around €10M total revenues. Through this acquisition and in line with its strategy, Capgemini is developing its presence in mature Eastern European countries. Once Empire and Sophia Solutions are integrated, the consulting and IT services capacity of Capgemini will be significantly enhanced in the Czech Republic with additional 165 highly skilled employees, giving the total of close to 230 of the combined unit in the local market. Under the terms of the share purchase agreement, Capgemini will acquire 100% shares of EMPIRE and 70% of SOPHIA SOLUTIONS, paid in cash on own resources. Capgemini will be able to acquire the remaining 30% of the shares in SOPHIA SOLUTIONS via call options over the coming years.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and it is expected that it will close by the end of December 2008.

EMPIRE pursues a wide spectrum of activities in the area of application development, system integration, Internet portal creation and security. EMPIRE is one of the most sought-after companies in the ICT field in the Czech Republic. The company client base comprises the leading actors of the financial services and telecom industries in the Czech Republic as well as major Czech public sector institutions. SOPHIA SOLUTIONS offers complex IS solutions for management and decision making support as well as to supply products and services in the field of BI/DWH. Among its main clients, SOPHIA SOLUTIONS counts some major international names in the retail sector, automotive and airline sector as well as large state organizations.

“This acquisition represents a significant step forward for Capgemini in our strategy to accelerate growth in our core Eastern European countries,” said Peter Laggner, CEO Capgemini Eastern Europe. “These companies enhance our Technology Services capabilities in our consulting oriented practice in the Czech Republic. We are looking forward to delivering on the promise of this acquisition and with strongly motivated management teams we aspire for a smooth and successful integration of the company into our country unit, region and Group.”

Michal Kavale, majority shareholder and CEO of EMPIRE, will join the top management of Capgemini Czech Republic. Mr. Kavale stated: “The combination of EMPIRE, a strong local IT development and solution provider, and Capgemini, one of the world’s leaders in consulting and IT services, brings a new value to our clients. With this transaction we are becoming an international partner with the strong technology and consulting capabilities, which will give a new impulse to the Czech IT market.”

The deal creates a major consulting and IT services firm in the Czech Republic with strong domain knowledge across market verticals, including financial services, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing and the public sector.